The Columbus journal., 1887-04-06
PENINSULA SUPERSTITION.
Prevalent In Lower Delaware and In Parts
Of Maryland.

Prevalent In Lower Delaware and In Parts
OF Maryland.
A belief in the supernatural and in
the fo~recasting Of events by and signif-
cation of signs and omens is moi. Is 10
generally supposed. restricted entirely
to the negro race of the Maryland and
Delaware peninsula, writes q Washing
ton correspondent of the Philadelphia
Times. Superstition is prevalent 70 q
considerable degree among the whites.
and it is q curious fact that in many
families where wealth and intelligence
predominate, an implicit belief 10 placed
in signs and tokens and what they por-
tend. They are sincere in this belief
and will cite numerous instances where
a mysterious knock upon the door, the
startling rafting of . window sash
when the air was calm and serene. or
the dismal bowling of q dog have been
followed by bad luck" to give ap-
parent strength to it
Among tho white laboring classes
superstition holds their minds with .
wonderful power. Any strange phe-
nomena in the heavens, ANY abnormal
condition of tho weather. or any un-
usual commotion on land OF sea, each
have their own special significance. and
while they all exercise an undue infiu-
ence upon the minds of these people,
each one formulates his or her OWE
opinion, and draw their own personal
conclusions as to the probable sequence
of these signs. A lady. venerable in
years, prominent in society, living in
a~ffluence, and residing in . Maryland
town, once dismissed q most dear and
intimate acquaintance with q YER
reprimand for trenching upon her ideas
with regard to this belief. The subject
of superstition was under discussion
and . large circle of friends were pres
ent. This lady friend was ridiculing
such belief as prepOsterous and ignor-
ant, and it was commented upon adj
versely by several other members of the
company. But the hostess was in
vulnerable to their attacks and hui
morous puns. and good-naturedly re-
butted them by several incidents which
occurred which were in fresh recollec-
ton by all present, and incidentally
mentioned her horror of . person look
ing over her shoulder while she was
standing before 8. looking-glass. The
evening wore on. and when the COM
pany was about to disperse the hostess
arose to arrange her hair before . small
toilet looking-glasa Her friend came
up behind her suddenly and peered over
her shoulder. A remarkable tableau
ensued. With blanched features the
hostess threw up her hands, and with q
wild shrek fell swooning to the floor.
The proper r~estoratives were resorted
to, and when she recovered conscious
ness she arose to her feet, nervous and
timorous. Pointing her finger at her
heretofore bosom friend. she said in .
firm. determined voice:
I'VE are friends no more. Co."
Expostulations were utterly useless;
she would listen to no explanation, and,
with a wounded heart and her face
bathed in tears, the lady took her de-
parture. This occurred twenty years
ago. They have exchanged
words since. BY q strange coincidence
of circumstances q month or 80 after
ward intelligence of the death of the
only brother of the hostess, who was in
India. was received.
On the first day of the new year the
negro is debarred the privilege of enter
ing a white persons house, as their
presence is regarded as an omen of bad
luck throughout the entire year. Woe
be to any person with a black skin who
crosses the threshold Of q white mans
house on the first day of the new year.
A negro man came near paying the
penalty Of his forgetfulness in this
respect with his life. lie started in the
gate of q house and was advancing to-
ward the door, when he was confronted
by the resolute and angry occupant,
who stood ready to receive him with q
wood-ax. The frightened negro sudden
ly collected his senses, and, remember
ing the day. turned to flee. As he did
so the Ak was hurled after him. and
went whizzlng over his head. the helve
knocking off Lis hat.
There is to-day living in lower Della
war an old gentleman. once conspicu-
Gus in public life. who constantly keeps
his gun charged with old-fashioned
silver Scent pieces. who has an i'm
plicit belief in their virtue to destroy
the power of negro conjurers when fired
at them. There r several more who
keep their revolvers loaded with the
same metal for the same purpose. Why
the annihilating qualities of silver are
more superior to lead or gold, they are
unable to explain. Yet they are pro-
sincere in their belief that q
of the jingling metal fired at, not
into the body Of q conjurer, will dis
solve his mysterious power, and prevent
him from committing harm. ..
Superstition in the negro is proverbial.
We car easily understand that the root
from which springs his absurd ideas is
But why it should hold
men and women of brilliant minds and
of high social distinction in its grasp il
. psychological question W can not
answer.
In some parts of Maryland the people
will not have the house leek, q small
green plant bearing . pink flower, upon
their premises This plant blooms, &C
cording to their theory, but nce in
seven years, and should ono of them be
in OF near the house At the time of
when the tiny bud begins to
someone will be taken sick, and
a. it continues to expand they will grow
worse, and when it has bloomed into
the perfect flower they will die.